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President Honors Public Servants Injured in the Line of Duty
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung opened the country’s largest national sports festival Wednesday by calling for the swift recovery of firefighters injured in a factory fire and soldiers wounded by a North Korean mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 107th National Sports Festival in Jeju, Lee said South Koreans owe their safety and peaceful daily lives to the sacrifices of military personnel, police officers, firefighters and other uniformed public servants. He also pledged greater recognition and compensation for those who risk their lives protecting the public.
Six firefighters were taken to hospitals after battling a factory fire earlier in the day in Bucheon, a city west of Seoul. Two were seriously injured. One arrived in cardiac arrest, while another reportedly regained consciousness. Lee also referred to soldiers recently injured when a North Korean mine exploded in the DMZ, the heavily fortified buffer separating North and South Korea.
Lee asked the audience at Jeju World Cup Stadium in Seogwipo to applaud in support of the injured firefighters and soldiers. He said the country’s treatment and compensation of such personnel have not adequately reflected their sacrifices.
Support Pledged for Athletes and Overseas Koreans
Turning to the sporting event, Lee promised government support for overseas Korean athletes traveling to compete in South Korea, saying they should be able to participate in domestic events without discrimination or an excessive financial burden.
He also praised South Korean athletes who competed at the recently concluded 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, saying their determination and teamwork offered the public courage and inspiration.
Lee said his administration would work to expand access to sports, improve training conditions for athletes and support sports professionals. He also urged competitors to respect and encourage one another regardless of the results.
Jeju Hosts Festival for First Time in 12 Years
First held in 1920, the National Sports Festival is South Korea’s biggest multisport competition and serves as a major showcase for athletes representing the country’s provinces and metropolitan areas. Jeju is hosting the event for the first time since 2014.
About 30,000 athletes from South Korea’s 17 provincial-level jurisdictions and overseas Korean sports organizations are competing in 50 events. First lady Kim Hea Kyung attended the opening ceremony with Lee, along with Korean Sport and Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min and Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young.
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